Fire safety cigarette

ABSTRACT

The invention provides disposable capsule means for encapsulating a cigarette or other cylinder tobacco to render the ignited tobacco firesafe. The capsule means includes an inner and an outer tubular housing spaced to provide adequate insulation for the outer housing, and a pair of end caps having a plurality of passages therein to permit igniting of the cigarette and inhaling the smoke therefrom. The end caps include sealing means comprising annular wedges for sealingly engaging the ends of the cigarette and preventing interior capsule air for entering the end cap passages and interfering with the cigarette draw. The inner surface of the inner tubular housing includes a plurality of protrusions for supporting the cigarette; these protrusions include air vents communicating the interior of the capsule with the ambient air via the annular space between the housings and apertures in the outer housing spaced from the end caps. The material of the capsule means comprises inexpensive nonflammable, heat-resistant material which is practicably disposable.

Hannema et al.

[ June 3, 1975 FIRE SAFETY CIGARETTE Inventors: Johannes Hermanus Hannema; Lena Touw Nio Hannema, both of 547 Dolores, Apt. 5, San Francisco, Calif. 94110 [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 450,744

[52] US. Cl. 131/175 [51] Int. Cl ..A24d1/11 [58] Field of Search 131/175, 174, 176,187,

131/198 A, 198 R, 212 A, 4 A, 10 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,163 l/1953 Jones et al. 131/175 2,679,251 6/1954 Simmer 131/175 3,220,418 11/1965 Cohn 131/175 3,303,849 2/1967 Arnold, Jr. et a1. 131/175 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerVincent Millin Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhillips, Moore, Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT The invention provides disposable capsule means for encapsulating a cigarette or other cylinder tobacco to render the ignited tobacco firesafe. The capsule means includes an inner and an outer tubular housing spaced to provide adequate insulation for the outer housing, and a pair of end caps having a plurality of passages therein to permit igniting of the cigarette and inhaling the smoke therefrom. The end caps include sealing means comprising annular wedges for sealingly engaging the ends of the cigarette and preventing interior capsule air for entering the end cap passages and interfering with the cigarette draw. The inner surface of the inner tubular housing includes a plurality of protrusions for supporting the cigarette; these protrusions include air vents communicating the interior of the capsule with the ambient air via the annular space between the housings and apertures in the outer housing spaced from the end caps. The material of the capsule means comprises inexpensive non-flammable, heatresistant material which is practicably disposable.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FIRE SAFETY CIGARETTE REFERENCE TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT This invention was disclosed in Disclosure Document No. 022,439 filed on Aug. 24, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to means for rendering a cigarette firesafe. In particular, this invention relates to an encapsulated cigarette and a method of encapsulating such cigarette to render it firesafe.

It is well known that millions of dollars of damage are caused each year by fires, a high percentage of which result from the careless or inadvertent disposition of burning cigarettes. Many such fires are forest fires which result in irreparable harm to our natural resources. Other confiagrations result in the destruction of vast numbers of buildings, and frequently result in the deaths of the inhabitants thereof. Additionally, large numbers of minor fires result each year from the contact of burning cigarettes with flammable material such as carpeting, upholstery, tablecloths, curtains, and the like. Other disadvantages are substantially inevitably associated with the handling of lighted cigarettes. For example, ashtrays are a necessary accompaniment, and are a source of unpleasant odors and unsightly cigarette butts. The frequent handling of burning cigarettes often entails nicotine-stained fingers; the disposition of the burning cigarette when one is finished smoking is not unfrequently inconvenient. Further, it is true that many car accidents which occur each year are caused by a smoking driver diverting his attention from the road to locate an ashtray or retrieve a burning cigarette which has been dropped.

Numerous means have heretofore been proposed for preventing or obviating one or more of the above disadvantages associated with burning cigarettes. Exemplary of such means which inter alia attempt to eliminate the fire hazards associated with burning cigarettes are those described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,625,163; 270,562; 2,148,41 1; 2,454,631; 2,153,332; and 2,607,353 issued respectively on Jan. 13, 1953 to Jones et a1; Jan. 9, 1883 to Burbank; Feb. 21, 1939 to Wallace et a1; Nov. 23, 1948 to Chneerson et al; Apr. 4, 1939 to Lewis et al; and Aug. 19, 1952 to Miller. Alternate means for eliminating these or other disadvantages are described in British patent specification 769,933 published Mar. 13, 1957; and German patent 831,464 published Feb. 14, 1952.

Such prior art means for rendering cigarettes firesafe have not met with significant public acceptance. It has been found that reusable holders are generally regarded as an unnecessary encumbrance owing at least in part to their susceptibility to loss, misplacement, breakage and the like. Conversely, however, elaborate holders such as a number of those described in the above noted references are too costly to be disposed of after each use. Many of these prior art means, in addition, have proved unsatisfactory in terms of interfering with the proper draw and/or combustion of the cigarette essential to smoking enjoyment. Further, improper insulation in many of the prior means has resulted in excessive thermal conduction from the ignited cigarette to the holder, thereby causing discomfort or 'ziurnin g of the fingers on contacting the holder containing a lighted cigarette.

It is therefore desirable to provide means for rendering a lighted cigarette firesafe, which at the same time is simple and thus sufficiently inexpensive to permit disposal after each use, while being well-insulated and functioning to provide the draw and combustion for maximum smoking enjoyment.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises disposable capsule means for permanently encapsulating a cigarette including an inner and an outer tubular housing spaced to provide adequate insulation for the burning cigarette and a pair of end caps each provided with a plurality of apertures therein. The cigarette is supported within the capsule by a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of the inner housing. The protrusions include air passages communicating the interior of the capsule with the ambient air to ensure proper combustion of the burning cigarette. Preferably the inner and outer tubular housings are fabricated from heat-resistant material, while the inner housing, at least, is fabricated from a sufficiently non-flammable material such as asbestos, ceramic, metallic foil, high-density polyethylene, or the like.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means for encapsulating a cigarette which renders a burning cigarette firesafe and practically disposable.

It is another object of the invention to provide simple means for encapsulating a cigarette which effectively renders the cigarette firesafe and at the same time promotes satisfactory draw and supports adequate combustion for maximum smoking enjoyment.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide simple means for encapsulating a cagarette which does not interfere with smoking pleasure and also provides effective insulation to prevent discomfort or burning of the flesh on contact with such means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the capsule means of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capsule means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the capsule means of FIG. 1 illustrating in detail an end cap thereof; and,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the capsule means of FIG. 1 illustrating in detail one end portion thereof encapsulating the filter end of a filter cigarette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings, the capsule means of the invention are generally indicated at 10, and include an outer tubular housing 11 and an inner tubular housing 12 separated by an annular space 13. The inner tubular housing 12 includes a plurality of protrusions 14 which support a cigarette 16 away from the inner wall of inner housing 12. This reduces the heat transferred from the burning tobacco to the inner housing. The protrusions 14 are provided with air passages or vents 17 which are in communication with the ambient air via the annular space 13 and a plurality of apertures 18 near opposite ends of the outer tubular housing 1 l. The openings 18 should be sufficient in number to serve their purpose of providing sufficient air to keep the cigarette burning, and also be sufficiently spaced from the ends of the housing to avoid interference with the draw. For example these openings may be sufficiently small and sufficiently high in number that either one or both of the inner and outer housings can be considered completely porous except for the end caps. It is essential that the holes be small enough to prevent the escape of hot ashes or burning tobacco, but be sufficient in num ber to allow plenty of air to enter the housing to support combustion.

The capsule means further include a pair of similar end caps 19 and 20, each of which is provided with a plurality of small apertures or passages 21 communicating the interior of the capsule 10 with the ambiant air to permit lighting the cigarette 16 at one end thereof, and inhaling smoke from the opposite end thereof. Each of the end caps 19 and 20 are further provided with sealing means comprising annular wedges or conical sections 22 and 23 respectively for sealingly engaging opposite ends of the cigarette 16 and preventing air within the inner tubular housing 12 from communicating with the passages 21 in the end caps 19 and 20. If necessary, the seal provided by the wedges 22 and 23 may be reinforced as by gluing the cigarette 16 to the wedges 22 and 23, or simply to one of the wedges 22 and 23 and marking such end as the inhaling end.

In the event the cigarette 16 includes a filter 24, as shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable that any reinforcing glue at least be applied to the wedge 23, and that the outer tubular housing be marked with suitable indicia to indicate the filter 24 whether or not the sealing means are reinforced. While one of the end caps such as end cap 19 is formed separately from the rest of the capsule means 10 and secured in place after insertion of the cigarette 16, as by pressing the annular wedge 22 against the inner tubular housing 12, it is preferred that the opposite end cap such as the end cap 20 be formed integrally with the outer and inner tubular housings 11 and 12 for simplicity and economy. In this instance, means such as an annular wall 26 are provided in the vicinity of the end cap 20 to prevent the ingress of air from the annular space 13 into the end cap 20 and air passages 21 thereon.

It will be appreciated that since the pair of end caps are substantially identical in configuration, when they are permanently attached to opposite ends of the housing, the assembly thereby defines a disposable capsule cigarette having ends that are substantially identical in configuration.

While it is contemplated that ordinarily the capsule means 10 be applied to a conventional cigarette of the type illustrated, other sources of tobacco may also be encapsulated by the capsule means 10. For example, either small or regular cigars may be employed, or alternatively, loose tobacco which is formed into a cylindrical shape as by means of a suitable binder on the outer surface thereof. Primarily, according to the nature of the tobacco employed, sufficient air vents 17 in the protrusions 14 are provided to support combustion in the encapsulated tobacco. In some instances, it may be found desirable to provide a large number of the vents 17 and 18 to achieve satisfactory combustion during smoking, while in other instances, few or none of the vents 17 may be required.

The inner tubular housing 12 is fabricated from a disposable suitably inflammable material such as asbestos, ceramic, metallic foil, or plastic having a sufficiently high melting point to withstand the internal temperatures generated within the capsule. Preferably both the outer housing 11 and inner housing 12 comprise a material sufficiently heat-resistant to provide the requisite insulation for maintaining the temperature of the outer housing 11 adequately low for comfortable handling. While it is contemplated that the annular space 13 will serve as a dead air space and thereby provide the required insulation, it may be in some instances desirable to fill the space 13 with a heat resistant insulating material such as fiberglass. In this event, it would be necessary to provide alternate means of communicating the vents 17 with the ambiant air.

At least the inner tubular housing and one end cap must be either constructed or lined with a suitable nonflammable material such as asbestos, ceramic, metallic foil, or the like. The other housing and the other end may then be constructed of a suitable heat resistant plastic, such as Acrylic-Butadiene-Styrene, Polyimide, or the like. With such construction, the end cap of nonflammable material is designated the end to be lighted as by a match or other flame. The illustrated construction is such that the end 19 may be conveniently constructed of a ceramic material with the remainder of the housing lined with a suitable material. The cylinder of tobacco 16 is placed within the housing and the end cap inserted as shown and permanently bonded in place.

With this construction, the burning tobacco and the ashes therefrom are confined within a fireproof housing. The ashes are retained within the housing and no ash tray is needed. The fire and hot ashes are confined within the housing and no danger of fire is present.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiment, equivalent modifications and embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the invention, and it is not intended to limit the invention except by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a disposable capsule encapsulating a cylinder of tobacco comprising:

an outer tubular housing;

an inner tubular housing of non-flammable material spaced from the outer tubular housing to form therewith an annular cavity;

said outer tubular housing includes a plurality of apertures spaced from the ends thereof communicating said annular cavity with the ambient air;

a pair of end caps substantially identical in configuration permanently enclosing opposite ends of said housings each including a plurality of air passages communicating the interior of the capsule with the ambient air;

a cylinder of tobacco disposed within said inner tubular housing thereby defining a disposable capsule cigarette having ends that are substantially identical in configuration;

sealing means comprising annular wedge means formed in said end caps sealingly engaging both ends of the cylinder of tobacco for preventing access of air from the interior of the capsule to said air passages at said one end, said sealing means integral with each of said end caps; and

a plurality of protrusions disposed on the inner surface of the inner tubular housing supporting said cylinder of tobacco within said capsule in spaced relation to the inner wall of the inner tubular hous- 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one of said protrusions includes vent means communicating the interior of said capsule with said annular cavity.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said inner tubular housing and one of said end caps fabricated of a material comprising ceramic.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said inner tubular housing is fabricated of a material comprising metallic foil.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said tubular housing is fabricated of a material comprising asbestos.

6. A method of encapsulating a cylinder of tobacco to define a disposable encapsulated cigarette comprisforming a double-walled tubular housing having an inner and an outer wall defining an annular space between said walls;

forming at least the inner wall of a non-flammable material;

supporting a cylinder of tobacco on a plurality of protrusions disposed on the inner surface of the inner wall;

permanently capping said housing at each end thereof by permanently securing to each end an identical end cap provided with a plurality of air passages therethrough and with sealing means for preventing ingress of air from the interior of the housing to said air passages.

7. The method of claim 6 comprising the step of forming said protrusions to include apertures for communicating with said annular space, and forming the outer wall of said housing with apertures therethrough spaced from said end caps.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least said outer housing is porous.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein both of said housings are porous. 

1. The combination of a disposable capsule encapsulating a cylinder of tobacco comprising: an outer tubular housing; an inner tubular housing of non-flammable material spaced from the outer tubular housing to form therewith an annular cavity; said outer tubular housing includes a plurality of apertures spaced from the ends thereof communicating said annular cavity with the ambient air; a pair of end caps substantially identical in configuration permanently enclosing opposite ends of said housings each including a plurality of air passages communicating the interior of the capsule with the ambient air; a cylinder of tobacco disposed within said inner tubular housing thereby defining a disposable capsule cigarette having ends that are substantially identical in configuration; sealing means comprising annular wedge means formed in said end caps sealingly engaging both ends of the cylinder of tobacco for preventing access of air from the interior of the capsule to said air passages at said one end, said sealing means integral with each of said end caps; and a plurality of protrusions disposed on the inner surface of the inner tubular housing supporting said cylinder of tobacco within said capsule in spaced relation to the inner wall of the inner tubular housing.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one of said protrusions includes vent means communicating the interior of said capsule with said annular cavity.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said inner tubular housing and one of said end caps fabricated of a material comprising ceramic.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said inner tubular housing is fabricated of a material comprising metallic foil.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said tubular housing is fabricated of a material comprising asbestos.
 6. A method of encapsulating a cylinder of tobacco to define a disposable encapsulated cigarette comprising: forming a double-walled tubular housing having an inner and an outer wall defining an annular space between said walls; forming at least the inner wall of a non-flammable materIal; supporting a cylinder of tobacco on a plurality of protrusions disposed on the inner surface of the inner wall; permanently capping said housing at each end thereof by permanently securing to each end an identical end cap provided with a plurality of air passages therethrough and with sealing means for preventing ingress of air from the interior of the housing to said air passages.
 6. A method of encapsulating a cylinder of tobacco to define a disposable encapsulated cigarette comprising: forming a double-walled tubular housing having an inner and an outer wall defining an annular space between said walls; forming at least the inner wall of a non-flammable materIal; supporting a cylinder of tobacco on a plurality of protrusions disposed on the inner surface of the inner wall; permanently capping said housing at each end thereof by permanently securing to each end an identical end cap provided with a plurality of air passages therethrough and with sealing means for preventing ingress of air from the interior of the housing to said air passages.
 7. The method of claim 6 comprising the step of forming said protrusions to include apertures for communicating with said annular space, and forming the outer wall of said housing with apertures therethrough spaced from said end caps.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least said outer housing is porous. 